First New "Yield To Pedestrians" Safety Signs

First New "Yield To Pedestrians" Safety
Signs
To be Installed Tuesday, April 15

Fairfax County Officials, including Board of Supervisors Chairman
Katherine K. Hanley, Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland, Lee
District Supervisor Dana Kauffman and Chief of Police Thomas Manger, will
be on hand Tuesday, April 15, at 10 a.m. to install Fairfax County's
first "Yield to Pedestrians in Crosswalk $100-$500 Violation
Fine" signs which cite the newly increased fine for non-compliance
with the law in these specially marked intersections. This ceremony will
take place on the trail along Richmond Highway at the northwest sector of
the intersection of Richmond Highway and Sherwood Hall Lane. Media will
have the opportunity to hear from these county representatives why
pedestrian safety is an important initiative deserving of this increased
enforcement effort. After the speakers install the sign completing the
intersection, they and others will participate in a commemorative
crossing of the street.

Failure to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks has long been a violation,
however the increased fine of up to $500 per violation was authorized by
the Virginia General Assembly last year for Fairfax County after the
county pushed for this as part of its legislative program. Throughout the
Washington Metropolitan area in the last year there has been a regional
effort to improve awareness on the part of drivers and pedestrians about
pedestrian safety issues and to focus on drivers who violate these laws.
Drivers who see a sign that reminds them about the increased penalty and
are aware of the required court appearance are likely to think twice
about speeding through crosswalks, making it safer for pedestrians to
cross the street.

These signs will be installed at intersections throughout the county
over the next few years. The week of April 15, they will be installed at
11 intersections and transportation officials anticipate installing these
signs at possibly 75 more intersections this spring. The "Yield to
Pedestrian" safety sign program is part of a comprehensive program of
pedestrian safety initiatives that Fairfax County is undertaking.

More than 300 pedestrians are injured and 15 killed in automobile
related incidents annually in Fairfax County, often resulting in serious
permanent disabilities and loss of function. Tragically, this could be
prevented by increasing the practice of properly crossing the street and
improving driver awareness of the rights and responsibilities of
pedestrians.

For more information about pedestrian safety issues in Fairfax County or
for information about the ceremony, please call Chris Wells, pedestrian
program manager, 703-324-1100, TTY 703-324-1102.

FAIRFAX COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO A POLICY OF
NONDISCRIMINATION IN ALL COUNTY PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES AND
WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS UPON REQUEST. TO REQUEST SPECIAL
ACCOMMODATIONS, CALL 703-324-3187 OR TTY-703-324-2935. PLEASE ALLOW
FIVE WORKING DAYS IN ADVANCE OF EVENTS IN ORDER TO MAKE THE NECESSARY
ARRANGEMENTS